Yup… the litter boxes in my house have more traffic than a grocery store deli the night before a big holiday…

I get up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for work and I’m quite organized with my routine. Brush teeth, shower, get dressed, do my make-up, scoop litter. Scoop litter again. Do a cat count – Zee, Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Kizmet, and Jazmine. Check. Okay. Say goodbye to Dan and the cats and get ready to leave. Scoop litter. Scoop litter again… What? Yes, sigh… Much as I love my little furry darlings, they drive me crazy with the litter and I honestly think they deliberately coordinate their efforts so that as soon as I scoop the box, they already know who will instantly be in line, ready to use it again. I literally will have one foot out the door, ready to leave, and I will hear them in one of the litter boxes, so I have to come back in and scoop again.

Granted, I might be a tad compulsive with my behavior, but I really, really, really don’t like an un-scooped litter box. But much as it annoys me to scoop so much, it actually is a blessing, because thank goodness I DO have litter to scoop. If I didn’t, it would mean that I didn’t have cats in my life, which in turn would mean my life would not be complete. Which leads me to the other cat related issues in my life that perhaps one might consider an annoyance. Such as the fact my mantel no longer showcases my beautiful designer, breakable candlesticks and instead is a freeway ramp for the cats to jump from the mantel to the kitchen counter. But guess what, I applaud it, because it makes me happy to know they have the freedom to jump from high to low places with ease. A candlestick cannot purr, nor can it snuggle on the couch with me, keeping me company.

You will note the mantel (launch pad) in the background of this picture. It is bare, with the exception of a heavy clock that the cats actually can’t knock over. But look how happy they are on top of the counter! That’s what it’s all about, people!

Or the fact that my office is actually the cats office. Well sure, why not? They live in the same house I do, so I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. I can just as easily type while precariously perching on the edge of my computer chair as I can sitting upright in it, with perfect posture. If a cat is sleeping in the chair, I am grateful for the cat that I have sleeping in the chair. And all the better if the cat graces my lap, holding me hostage for several hours as my coffee gets cold.

That’s okay Kizmet, no need to move. I’m sure I can somehow fit myself on the edge of the seat…

Okay… I guess this is my fault. Complain about the cat in your chair, they’ll just sleep on your keyboard instead. But the good news is, I can finally get the housework done that I’ve been putting off…

Cat hair all over the house? Well, of course there is. Were there not, I might not ever have the ambition or concern to vacuum, so I have to thank the cats for that. Hair on my clothes – I consider it a designer blanket of love and I have even embraced it for marketing purposes. I’m telling everywhere here, straight up – you buy a book directly from me – either my newest one, Purr Prints, or my first one – The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey and you are guaranteed to have some genuine Zee/Zoey hair ship with the book… AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. I know… it’s insane, but I like to give my customers added value. Amazon doesn’t do that…

Thank you for ordering Purr Prints – would you like extra cat hair with your purchase or just a standard amount?

The list of indiscretions goes on – bedspreads with pulled threads, furniture with scratches, areas of the house where the wallpaper has been dogeared by cat teeth marks – all of that is cause for celebration! I have a house full of cats that I love and I have the evidence to prove it!

Did this table used to have a floral arrangement on it? Yes. Has this table been used as an occasional scratching post? Yes. Oh well… I think using it as a bed for Jazmine is a far better idea anyway. Doesn’t she look adorable?

I long ago came to the conclusion in the scheme of things, getting upset over inanimate things is pointless. It’s not that I want them to ruin my stuff (and truly, for the most point, they don’t), I just don’t want my stuff to rule my life. I just compromise. I don’t need a house full of breakables and clutter. Cat trees, cat condos, baskets of cat toys – to me, that is the true sign of a home filled with love. Without it, it’s just an empty house, with very little heart or soul.

Yes, we have cats, why do you ask? This is our house on any given day of the week. It’s all about making sure they are comfortable too!

So, now when I scoop litter, I am grateful for the task because it means the cats I love are in my life. Perspective.

No amount of inconvenience in the world matters to me when it comes to my cats – I love them unconditionally and I know the feeling with me is mutual.

How about your house? I have just given you a brief sampling of how I find the joy in the “inconveniences” of my cats – what are some examples in your house? Happy Caturday and I look forward to your comments!